VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps’ use of Japanese League imports is likely over.

The Major League Soccer club announced Thursday that it has declined contract options on midfielders Daigo Kobayashi, who was maddeningly inconsistent in his one season, and Jun Marques Davidson, a favourite of fired head coach Martin Rennie but a frequent target of fan and media criticism.

Without a new head coach as yet, but with a league deadline looming Sunday for exercising contract options for 2014, the club did pick up the options on 11 players, including star striker Camilo Sanvezzo, influential midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker and youngsters Omar Salgado, Erik Hurtado and Russell Teibert. The club now has 19 players under contract.

“I’m excited about the core of our roster … a sprinkling of a lot of youth and also some experience with guys like Reo-Coker, (striker) Kenny Miller and (centre back) Andy O’Brien,” said president Bob Lenarduzzi.

Kobayashi and the Japanese-American Davidson, who both played several seasons in Japan, were among a group of eight players who did not have their options picked up. Goalkeepers Joe Cannon, Brad Knighton and promising Canadian Simon Thomas were also let go, as were centre back Brad Rusin and second-team strikers Tommy Heinemann and Corey Hertzog were the others.

Kobayashi, who earned $238,833 in 2013, was brought in with considerable fanfare, described as a gifted technical player who could drive the Caps’ attack from midfield. But after a promising start with an assist and a goal in his first two games, he struggled with the physical play and failed to mesh with the players around him except for a brief period late in the season when Rennie used him at the top of a diamond midfield.

“He was on a significant amount of money in the world of MLS and we had hoped he would fill that attacking midfield role,” said Lenarduzzi. “He did it, but didn’t do it on a consistent basis.

“We could wait and hope that he does that next season. But at the same time, our thoughts are we’ll move on at this point.”

Davidson made 48 starts over his two seasons. But as a very defensive-minded player with limited ability to have an impact on a game offensively, he became a lightning rod for those critical of Rennie’s formations and tactics.

Lenarduzzi said he had input from Greg Anderson, the club’s director of professional teams, and assistant coaches still under contract in making the roster decisions. In addition, as part of head-coaching search, candidates who were interviewed were asked to assess the roster, which provided “a useful perspective.”

Lenarduzzi also noted that the new head coach — “if we can announce him fairly quickly” — will have an opportunity prior to the waiver draft and re-entry draft to talk to any released players he might be interested in re-signing.

Lenarduzzi said Harvey, who will be pushed at left fullback by 18-year-old Sam Adekugbe, and the journeyman Watson were the kind of character players a team can not have enough of on its roster.

Releasing the 38-year-old Cannon, who started the first 10 games of 2013 and 56 in total in his three seasons in Vancouver, and Knighton was not a surprise given that mid-season signing David Ousted had become the No. 1 ’keeper. Thomas, a 23-year-old Victoria native, was let go because the club feels it has some good young ’keepers in its residency program.

And Lenarduzzi suggested the club could find a backup for next season in the MLS SuperDraft, with the Caps holding the third and seventh selections overall.

Salgado was the Caps’ first pick in their inaugural season in 2011, but has barely played the past two years because of foot injuries. Lenarduzzi said the club still believes the lanky forward, who is still only 20 years of age, can be an impact player.

“If you look at Omar now vs. what he looked like a year and a half ago, it’s a big difference,” said Lenarduzzi. “He’s turned into a man. He’s got a massive upper body. He’s a player now you can throw back up front (as a central striker), given his frame and perhaps be a good target man for somebody to play off of.

“We didn’t want to make a hasty decision on him. We feel like he’s got a huge upside and now it will be up to him.”

Salgado will also remain a Generation adidas player, as designated by MLS, meaning his salary, which was $136,868 in 2013, will not count under the cap.

GOAL KICK: Lenarduzzi said the coaching search is in the “final stages.” There is widespread speculation that the Caps are interested in Real Salt Lake head coach Jason Kreis, whose contract is up at the end of the season. RSL plays in the MLS Cup final Dec. 8, so does that mean another two weeks of patience? “As we’ve been doing all along, I think it’s best to just say nothing at this point and let the coach search run its course,” said Lenarduzzi.

• The following 19 Whitecaps players are under contract for the 2014 season:

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